Australia burns … while the bureaucrats bumble

One example in January, 2003: once again, the Waterbombers were on offer to stop the raging fires before they completely destroyed the Mt Stromlo Observatory (a more than $20 million loss). Just one IL-76, with its payload of water and Pyrocool (a non-toxic, non-corrosive, environmentally-friendly chemical, proven in every case, to not only immediately extinguish a fire, but also to stop its re-ignition up to 3,000 degrees) could have saved Mt Stromlo with one, 10-second drop. And, by the way, the Pyrocool was being donated by the manufacturer.

Alas once again, that scenario would have required the bureaucrats to think outside the box, an area as foreign to most of them as the black holes of space.

The incomparable IL-76 Waterbomber has flown hundreds of firefighting missions worldwide, not just under ideal situations, but in mountainous terrain, windy conditions (when all smaller fixed-wing and helicopter air tankers were grounded), and at night, when almost all aerial firefighting is forbidden.

(The IL-76 is equipped with modern avionics and heat-seeking technology which allows the crew, easily and safely, to locate the fires and extinguish them, without actually seeing through the smoke.)

In Greece’s worst wildfires in over a century destruction was occurring, throughout mountainous areas in very windy conditions, while the entire fleet of CL-215 air tankers was grounded. When public pressure finally overcame bureaucratic roadblocks, the IL-76 was requested, and quickly stopped the fires. It was immediately hailed by the media and government officials as “a miracle”.

Here’s a novel idea … if what you are currently using is not working, why not try something new and different. What have you got to lose?

But there I go thinking outside the box again.